Verty's meaning, finds her
voice rather unsafe, and her cheeks covered with blushes. But with
the tact of a grown woman, she applies herself to the defeat of her
knight; and, turning away, says, as easily as possible:
"Oh, yes--the thorn; it is a pretty vine; take care, or it will hurt
your hand."
Verty feels astounded at his own boldness, but says, with his dreamy
Indian smile:
"Oh, no, I don't want the thorn--the rose!--the rose!"
Redbud understands that this is only a paraphrase--after the Indian
fashion--for her own name, and blushes again.
"We--were--speaking of cousin Lavinia," she says, hesitatingly.
Verty sighs.
"Yes," he returns.
Redbud smiles.
"And I was scolding you for replying to papa's question," she adds.
Verty sighs again, and says:
"I believe you were right; I don't think I could have told them what
we were talking about."
"Why?" asks the young girl.
"We were talking about you," says Verty, gazing at Redbud tenderly;
"and you will think me very foolish," adds Verty, with a tremor in
his voice; "but I was asking Mr.
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